SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University volleyball team used a team effort to sweep visiting PSAC East opponent Cheyney on Saturday before out-lasting CIAA foe Chowan in five sets to complete an undefeated weekend at Heiges Field House.
 
Shippensburg (14-13, 7-10 PSAC) defeated Cheyney (1-24, 0-17) by scores of 25-20, 25-12 and 27-25 before coming back in a nightcap to rally and up-end Chowan (20-6) by set scores of 23-25, 25-16, 20-25, 25-16 and 16-14.
 
The victory over the Hawks marked SU's third five-set match of the season that needed extra points in the final frame to decide a winner. Overall, it is the sixth five-setter of the year and fourth decided by two points in the final frame.
 
SU did not employ all of its starters against Cheyney, but junior Faith Athey and freshman Courtney Malott were among those who played in all eight sets on Saturday and performed well.
 
Athey had 28 kills on the day (15 vs. Cheyney, 13 vs. Chowan) while Malott had 22 (nine vs. Cheyney, 13 vs. Chowan) and also had 13 digs in each match.
 
In the nightcap, sophomore setter Maura Nolan had an outstanding effort with 47 assists, six kills to no errors (.429 hitting percentage) and 10 digs. Junior libero Laura Plank had 29 assists and also provided four of the team's six service aces.
 
Sophomore Annie Goerl and junior Taylor Gottshall also keyed the victory over the Wolves. Goerl had another double-double with 15 kills and 24 digs while Gottshall had 15 kills, 14 digs and six block assists.
 
Against the Wolves, redshirt-freshman Brittany Whitacre had a career-high 11 kills to complement 12 digs and a .167 hitting percentage. Freshman Catherine Amoriello had a career-high 34 assists and served two aces, while freshman Shelby Henry had career highs of seven kills and 14 digs.
 
Shippensburg is on the road for three conference matches next week, beginning 7 p.m. Tuesday at Millersville.